The Need for Nanotechnology Education

Nanotechnology is often described as an emerging technology due to its vast potential to shape existing materials and create products that were not possible even a few years ago. The nanotechnology provides us with the building blocks of all nano materials. Most of these new materials started their journey into products at the macro scale, then the material was shaped to the micron scale and lately new development and discovery of how materials are assemble at the nanoscale are creating new novel products. In many ways, it is basically the evolution of the industrial era into the nano-world.

Nanotechnology Workforce

As the technology has been evolving, the need for a highly trained and educated workforce is becoming imminent. Educational institutions are beginning to realize that programs that introduce and prepare students against this new technology need to be implemented immediately. Many of the finest educators around the country are already transferring this knowledge to their students as early as high school level. Researchers believe that tremendous efforts are required from various government institutions and private entities to initiate programs with nanotechnology content. The early pioneers are preparing their students with a great advantage over other institutions by providing the required knowledge and understanding.

The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) and other national and international R&D programs are paving the advancements in different fields. According to NSF and data gathered in 2009, the nanotechnology market is about a quarter of a trillion dollars in products of which about $91 billion dollars was in the US along. So, the development for new products and markets have been rising on a yearly basis, increasingly governments are putting more money into nanotechnology, which should bring new opportunities for institutions that are involved or have proven knowledge and capability at micro and nano level. The scientific research publications and product related patent application it is on the rise due to the wide applications of nanotechnology, however, the task and knowledge transfer has a steep road ahead.

The Solution

Until recently hands-on nanotechnology education has been out of reach for all but Research I type universities or other well funded institutions. Now though, instruments are becoming dramatically more affordable. This means nanotechnology training can be started much earlier than graduate school to grow the workforce that is being globally projected. Introducing nano-Scientist, a one year, comprehensive micro and nano fabrication education program by ACST that includes the following:

1. Instrumentation: COSMOS nanoFAB, Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Fluorescent Microscope (FM), nanoColloid & bench-top Scanning Electron microscope (SEM)
2. Curriculum that includes detailed labs with relevant applications. Examples by experts in the field of physics, chemistry, biology and fabrication.
3. Consumables and supplies for a group of students.
4. Expertise to tailor curriculum/labs based on institution’s requirement.
5. Guaranteed best in class technical support

The nano-SCIENTIST program comes standard with the following instruments